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[JAPAN's Health Industry] Commercialising Products with CBD, especially for sports applications, is proceeding even in Japan

11/3/2019

Even since the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) excluded CBD (cannabidiol) from its doping list, cannabis-derived active ingredients have drawn increased attention. The food industry overseas has begun to incorporate CBD into new food products and, noting this, leading companies have started to enter this market and more local suppliers are dealing with CBD ingredients.

Cannabis consists of CBD, which has sedative effects, and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the main psychoactive component with mood-enhancing effects. CBD is not an illegal drug, and it is distinguished from THC which is categorised as a drug component in Japan.

With the FDA softening its stance on CBD-containing products, many US states legalizing medical marijuana, and WADA delisting CBD from its banned drug list, there has been an increase in demand for CBD products among athletes. Products containing CBD promising “tension relaxation” and “improved sleep” are now being commercialised, especially in the sports nutrition category.

Globally, a major indication of CBD’s increasing mainstream popularity was Coca Cola’s announcement last September that it is developing a beverage featuring CBD as a main component. In Japan, some suppliers began full-scale production last summer and showcased their products at Hi Japan 2018 in October. Enquiries about these suppliers are also increasing. According to ingredients suppliers, CBD for use in Japan must be extracted from the stalk and seed, so as not to violate the Cannabis Control Law. Production must also be fully traceable to guarantee that THC component has been completely removed. In Japan, analytical systems to support production will also grow in importance with CBD’s increasing popularity.